iCon

I got back from class and gave my computer mouse a little wiggle to wake it back up, only to find a friend's status update, RIP Steve Jobs. I never believe anything from just one source, so I scrolled down, then googled his name only to find out that it was indeed true. Though I had heard of his worsening health, I didn't think he was in death's danger zone. I felt sad, but didn't add to the pile of RIP stati hanging down my newsfeed. Mostly because I was annoyed by people. Just yesterday, everybody was complaining about how Apple failed to release the G5, and instead came out with an inferior upgrade 4GS. Yesterday, I was deviously glad to hear that Apple-ites were disappointed with the 4GS, people waiting up until odd hours, waiting to see what Macintosh had in store for them. It's like the modern day, adult version of the selfish children in Willy Wonka's chocolate factory, aware of only their own wishes, and unaware that Mr. Wonka has problems of his own.

Macintosh impressed me ever since I was an elementary school child, when my 3rd grade class would get 1 hour to go into the plasterboard annexed classroom built on the cement lot of of Rowland Elementary, which we referred to as the computer lab. It was the first time I ever had a password, though I wasn't able to choose my own. I had it memorized, though, before I even knew what a social security number was. That shit's ingrained in experience and has traveled with me through the years to nowadays, when I have nightmares that I've soaked my iPhone in a murky lake. The reliance on technology is seen as a pitiful thing, however, the pleasure we've gotten from these fidgety devices is immeasurable.

Besides what "things" Steve Jobs has brought into the world, his death goes beyond the commodities, and breaks into ideas, philosophy. Chu statused that he was one of her heros, and she's not kidding or posting to jump on any bandwagons. When she'd go out for movies, and I'm at home hoping for a dumbed-down romantic comedy, she comes home with a documentary style movie about the early days of the personal computer, when Steve and Bill used to be friends, partners. No, she really liked him, we all did, because he was a self-proclaimed dreamer who just so happened had talent in technology and business strategy.

I know I just recently posted this video a few posts ago, but watch it again. Watch and see how rare it really is to be that kind of visionary, yet at the same time, how simple and accessible it is. First, take a look at that, then feel free to watch some great speeches he's made.

How Great Leaders Inspire Action--A Ted Talk


2005 Stanford commencement speech where Steve shares three powerful stories, including one eerily about the brevity of life.